I7 Build ($1200-1300)

[JABS1]

Hey guys, first time poster here.

I am saving up for a new i7-based desktop with a budget of around $1200-$1300 USD. This is the first build I have done pretty much myself. I would use it mainly for video encoding, movies, internet, and some old school-ish gaming. I chose to go with i7 because I wanted to have a more "future resistant" desktop. I used newegg.com for the selection of parts, but if there is something cheaper/better on another site, go for it.

Purchase date: In a month or two. No later than late October (when Win 7 comes out)

Parts not required: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor, possibly sound card.

Overclock: Probably not. I don't feel comfortable with that.

Crossfire or SLI: Possibly in the future if I get more into PC gaming, but probably not.

Monitor resolution: 1366 x 768. It's a Samsung 23'' LCD TV I'm using.

Additional comments: I might go back to playing City of Heroes/City of Villians, but I think that is about it when it comes to PC gaming.

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 = $288.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

MOBO: ASRock X58 Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard = $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157155

RAM: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ = $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

VIDEO CARD: EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported = $194.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM = $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible = $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

DVD/CD Burner: SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM = $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM = $99.99

Subtotal= $1,193.91

Total (with shipping)= $1,212.60

Is this a good build? I am not sure if I need a bigger PSU. If I do, I could always use the Win 7 RC for a while longer while I move the $100 bucks toward a bigger PSU.

Thoughts, suggestions? Thank you very much!

(Edit: Adjusted purchase time frame. I wasn't clear on it on the first go around.)

 

[Proximon]

Your ideas are all sound. In 5 months it will all be different though. New processors, new boards, etc. There will be the new socket and chipset from Intel, that will be more in line with what you need. As it is, you are paying for features in that build that you won't be using much.

The only thing you have there that is really a poor choice is the case. It just doesn't match the system. A Cooler Master 690 would be more appropriate, or Antec 900.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

 

[gkay09]

^+1 Don't start planning the config now if you are going to buy the PC after 5 months...Like Proximon said there will be new h/w for the same price or even better...And change the CASE...
Only the PSU and the Case are the parts that you could plan now as those parts stay in the market for long...

 

[JABS1]

I adjusted the original time frame in the orginal post. I meant to say that I would get it in a month or so, but no later than late October when Win 7 comes out. That's why I mentioned using the Win 7 RC until then instead of buying Vista. That is my fault.

I'll keep in mind to keep looking for another case.

 

[gkay09]

Well then the build looks good...
But you can consider few things which you can change...
1. PSU - The corsair 620HX is an excellent Modular PSU...But if you plan for a SLI, then it might fall short on power...
If you are comfortable with non-modular PSU, then get the Corsair 750TX...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
This PSU would easily handle even a GTX 285 SLI...
2. The Graphics card is a good choice...But I feel you can get the GTX275 for about $250 now...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475
Reason: This card would still be good for future games too and you could do away with the SLI all together for atleast a year or more...

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/gigabyte-nvidia-sli-motherboard,7463.html <--- Gigabyte: Enable SLI On X58 Boards

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $69.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-750w-tx-series-80-plus-certified-power-supply-corsair-tx-cmpsu/q/loc/101/206178325.html $114.99 Shipping: FREE
Corsair TX CMPSU-750TX ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U3R $179.99
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $265.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093 $36.99 Free Shipping*
Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127430 $179.99 ($159.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)
MSI N260GTX-T2D896-OCv4 GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $89.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.186064 Combo Discount: -$20.00 Combo Price: $154.98
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM


Total: $1,122.90 | $1,102.90 w/rebates


*or switch out vid cards in that build to this one down below....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 $249.99 ($229.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Total: $1,192.90 | $1,172.90 w/rebates

 

[Helloworld_98]

isn't that gfx card kinda overkill for his needs?

he could probably get away with a GTS 250 or 9800gt and get better memory, HDD, blu-ray reader etc.